Filed under: Features, Holiday Gift Guide'Tis the season to spread holiday cheer by inserting photos into ridiculous cartoons (after you've finished shopping, of course)! Here are the top 7 options that you can use to keep things fresh, because friends, family, coworkers, and all of your targets deserve a uniquely festive brand of e-spoofing.What are these crazy foreigners doing? Dive in and find out... Next >> Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Gadget Head, Music Hound, Video Junkie, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, Gift News, Holiday Gift GuideYou're buying so many tech gifts this year, so wouldn't it be nice of those companies actually gave you a present in addition to their products? Yes, we thought so, too.We saw an interesting deal between Sharp and new video-on-demand service Vudu, where the purchase of a new Aquos LCD display gets you a free Vudu set-top box and $50 in download credit. You'll put that to good use, for sure.But instead of melting your brain on all that video, wouldn't it be nice if you actually read a book now and then? Click your way to Sony's site, where you'll find a deal that will put 100 classic books in your hands when you buy one of its Readers, a competitor to the Amazon Kindle. The books offered include such classics as Mark Twain's 'Huckleberry Finn' and H.G. Wells' 'The Time Machine.' Finally, if you're looking for an audio experience, buying the Microsoft Zune will garner you a $20 gift card from Best Buy or $15 in downloads from Amazon.com.Let's see, that's video, words, music... looks like we've covered our bases. Related links:Video Downloads Coming to PlayStation 3 Amazon's New Kindle Displays eBooks and Newspapers Zune Originals 8-Gigabyte (GB) Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, TV, Switched Video, Gamer, Video Junkie, Creative Type, $1000 and Under, Features, Holiday Gift Guide, ReviewsIt's crisp. It's colorful. It's widescreen and it swivels. Plus, the Samsung Syncmaster 245T has HDMI inputs in addition to standard DVI and analog inputs. A 24", better-than-1080p TV, computer monitor and swivel head all for $800? Looks sweet to us.Related Links:Finally, a PC that can dress like a MacOur BEST HDTV Pick: The Pioneer Kuro Elite 50" PlasmaFour Cell Phones We Love for Under $100 Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, Gadget Head, Traveler, Music Hound, Video Junkie, $250 and Under, Holiday Gift GuideSamsung P2$250, samsungusa.comMost so-called iPod-killers hardly live up to the name, much less Apple's digital audio player, but Samsung's P2 is pretty darn close. The size of a pack of Dentyne, and yet boasting a three-inch, 16:9 touchscreen, the P2 is a perfect alternative for iTunes haters, or just somebody who's got a lot of WMA or cell-phone-music-store-purchased tunes on their PCs. The elegant and kinetic onscreen interface is playful and surprisingly responsive, which makes browsing for everything from pictures and non-iTunes songs (Napster, Rhapsody, and the like) to TV shows purchased from Amazon Unbox and Wal-Mart a pleasurable cinch. Oh, and volume goes up to 11. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Cell Phones, Advice, Editor's Picks, Top Lists, Style Maven, Gadget Head, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, Features, Holiday Gift Guide Still wondering what to get the lady in your life for the holidays? Well, you certainly waited until the last moment. Not to worry, we're here with some of the best cell phone picks for ladies -- and you're sure to find one that's right for her.There's no mistaking it these days: Many cell phones are made with the female form in mind. Gone are the clunky, unattractive phones that took up way too much purse space -- replaced instead by sleek, stylish, colorful phones that are easy to use and tote around. But before you buy your lady a new mobile for the holidays, take a look at our feminine faves.Of course, if that special someone is locked in a contract, you might want to take a look at Amazon.com, which has an array of unlocked cell phones. These phones provide service by allowing you to insert any SIM card from any compatible carrier. Nice and easy. Sanyo Katana A little longer and boxier than the groundbreaking RAZR, the Sanyo Katana powered by Sprint, is a pretty flip phone with a VGA camera peeking out over a small color screen. Its Cherry Blossom Pink color attracts the fairer sex and its Web browsing functions, four-hour talk time and wireless Bluetooth keeps them coming back for more.Next >> Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, Style Maven, Gadget Head, Music Hound, $250 and Under, Holiday Gift GuideSony HD Radio$200Sick of the same-old, same-old chart-based tunes and endless ads you hear on the radio? You're missing the party, or the talk-orgy, that's happening on HD radio, which is the technology that allows more than one programming feed to broadcast on the same FM frequency. Provided you have an HD radio such as this minimalist cherry wood and black mesh speaker tabletop model from Sony, you can essentially quadruple the amount of broadcasts - and the variety of music genres or talk-radio programs - that are normally available to you on a standard FM radio.From SonyStyle. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Gadget Head, Domestic God / Goddess, Video Junkie, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, $500 and Under, Holiday Gift GuideVudu$399, vudu.comAbout as big as a Mac Mini, the Vudu box gives you access to over 5,000 movies for rent or purchase. Vudu uses the same peer-to-peer technology that pirates use to illegally swap movies online, but for good purposes like letting you watch a movie instantly even though it's not done downloading. The service just started offering HD movies you'd actually want to watch - like the 'Bourne Ultimatum' - but the mostly standard definition (SD) movies on offer still look stunning since the box upscales video to quasi-HD quality, while the ergonomic remote is the most responsive to come along since Tivo. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Computers, YouTube, Style Maven, $100 and Under, Holiday Gift GuideBoynq Alibi (Style maven, $100 and under)Want to get your college-bound, studying-abroad, jet-setting son or daughter to actually video-chat with you? Try getting them a webcam -- particularly one that looks as fresh as Boynq's Alibi. Though its primary function is video, the unit doubles as a speaker as well: While it's only able to crank out five watts, it sounds better than your laptop's internal speakers. The camera is able to angle itself 25 degrees left and right, and and it even rotates 300 degrees, allowing you to record video of most of a room without having to move the body of the webcam itself. Aside from its look, the design is full of nice touches: Rather than a volume knob, the Alibi has a tall ring around its body, which you slide to adjust volume. Oh, and coolest of all? The camera head pops up when in use, and hibernates into its plastic body when idle. Comes in four purdy colors. Price: $59.99From Boynq Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, Interviews, TV, YouTube, Switched Video, Gift News, Holiday Gift Guide, ReviewsIt's the worst nightmare for the networks: YouTube beating broadcast television in the ratings. Recent polls suggest it's that's already happening, but our most recent Switched Show (listen here; direct link to mp3) suggests we're not so sure -- and that we've got some strong opinions on the subject of how you'll watch television in the not so distant future. PLUS: We read our personal tech wishlists for the holidays. Don't forget to subscribe to the Switched Show for FREE. Related Links:Finally, a PC that can dress like a MacOur BEST HDTV Pick: The Pioneer Kuro Elite 50" PlasmaFour Cell Phones We Love for Under $100 Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Cameras, Computers, Video Games, Gift News, holiday gift, Holiday Gift GuideBrooklyn-based Etronics knows you didn't plan ahead. It knows you wrote a reminder to yourself but misplaced it. It knows you meant well. Really. It did. That's why, if you're lucky enough to live in or near the five boroughs of New York City, you can purchase a cool toy from them by 3 p.m. on December 24 and still get it delivered that very day. Yes, it's true.We don't mean to encourage bad planning on your part but with enablers like this what's any self-respecting true procrastinator to do? We say wait until the last minute and give it a whirl.A flat fee of $25 covers the delivery charge -- and that includes delivery of heavy items, like TVs, or really huge gaming accessories (example only -- they don't really sell these).Of course you could always go for a gift card -- or even an online gift certificate -- but all that does is reveal how little effort you put into getting a present. So we say get something with real heft. And don't worry -- your secret is safe with us.One last note: In a quick look at what they have available, we saw a lot of "Out Of Stock" items, so your procrastination may still have gotten the best of you. Related links:Retailers balk at Maine's bid to collect proceeds from gift cardsBreaking: Nintendo To Offer Wii 'Rainchecks' for Out-of-Stock Consoles Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, TV, Switched Video, Video Junkie, Reviews, Holiday Gift GuideSurround sound home theater systems sound awesome, but all those wires and speakers can clutter a small room. The TV2 from Boston Acoustics might not deliver surround sound, but it does pack much more punch than your TV's built-in speakers as our very own Tom Samiljan demonstrates here. Related Links:Finally, a PC that can dress like a MacOur BEST HDTV Pick: The Pioneer Kuro Elite 50" PlasmaFour Cell Phones We Love for Under $100 Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Advice, Editor's Picks, iPod, Switched Video, Gadget Head, Music Hound, Creative Type, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, $50 and Under, Holiday Gift Guide, ReviewsFinally, a gift for the child who wants a puppy, a stereo and a robot for Christmas: The iDog Amp'd, quite possibly the strangest iPod accessory we've seen since the iCan't-keep-making-i-jokes-anymore. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, Switched Video, Style Maven, Domestic God / Goddess, $5000 and Under, Holiday Gift Guide, Reviews Finally, an all-in-one Windows PC with some style sense. Check out the video for more on the Gateway One. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
